NEW YORK (AP) — NBC News fired longtime "Today" show host Matt Lauer on Wednesday for "inappropriate sexual behavior," making him the second morning television show personality to lose his job because of sexual misconduct charges in a week.

Lauer's co-host Savannah Guthrie made the announcement at the top of Wednesday's "Today" show. Last week, CBS News fired Charlie Rose after complaints from several women who worked for him.

Co-anchors Al Roker, from left, Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb sit on the set of the of the "Today" show Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017, in New York, after NBC News fired host Matt Lauer. NBC News announced Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017, that Lauer was fired for "inappropriate sexual behavior."(Photo: Craig Ruttle/ AP)

NBC News Chairman Andrew Lack said the network had received a complaint from a colleague on Monday night, but gave no details of the alleged misconduct. A review determined it was a clear violation of company standards, he said. It was the first complaint lodged against Lauer, but Lack said in a memo to staff that "we were also presented with reason to believe this may not have been an isolated incident."

Lauer, 59, has hosted "Today" for two decades. When paired with Katie Couric, "Today" was the longtime ratings leader and was highly lucrative for NBC. It now runs second in the ratings to ABC's "Good Morning America."

Many "Today" show viewers took out their anger for the unsightly 2012 firing of co-host Ann Curry on Lauer, sending the show plunging in the ratings. But NBC stuck with Lauer and the show had steadied with his pairing with Guthrie. The show runs for four hours, with Lauer and Guthrie hosting the first two.

Matt Lauer has been terminated from NBC News. On Monday night, we received a detailed complaint from a colleague about inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace by Matt Lauer. As a result, we’ve decided to terminate his employment. pic.twitter.com/1A3UAZpvPb

He joins a lengthening list of media figures felled by sexual misconduct charges this year. Besides Rose, they include Lauer's former NBC News colleague Mark Halperin, former Fox News prime-time host Bill O'Reilly and National Public Radio newsroom chief Michael Oreskes. The New York Times suspended White House correspondent Glenn Thrush last week.

Messages to Lauer and his agent were not immediately returned.

Anchor Hoda Kotb stands on the set of the "Today" show between segments Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017, in New York, after NBC News fired host Matt Lauer. NBC News announced Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017, that Lauer was fired for "inappropriate sexual behavior."(Photo: Craig Ruttle/ AP)

Lack, in his memo, said that "we are deeply saddened by this turn of events. But we will face it together as a news organization — and do it in as transparent a manner as we can." There were reports that, before the firing, some media organizations were looking into Lauer's behavior. The morning host is married with three children.

Guthrie co-hosted Wednesday's show with Hoda Kotb, who said both of them were awakened with the news Wednesday morning. Guthrie appeared to fight back tears as she called Lauer her friend who is beloved by many at NBC, and said she was "heartbroken for my colleague who came forward to tell her story and any other women who have their own stories to tell.

"Today" show host Savannah Guthrie looks out the window while on the set of the show Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017, in New York, after NBC News fired host Matt Lauer. NBC News announced Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017, that Lauer was fired for "inappropriate sexual behavior."(Photo: Craig Ruttle/ AP)

"We are grappling with a dilemma that so many people have faced these past few weeks," she said. "How do you reconcile your love for someone with the revelation that they have behaved badly? I don't know the answer to that. But I do know that this reckoning that so many organizations have been going through is important, it's long overdue and it must result in workplaces where all women, all people, feel safe and respected."

Two hours later, NBC's Megyn Kelly noted the anguish on the faces of her colleagues but said, "what we don't see is the pain on the faces of those who found the courage to come forward, and it is still a terrifying thing to do."

Kelly, who has written about being sexually harassed by former boss Roger Ailes at Fox News Channel, has covered the issue aggressively on the third hour of "Today," helping stabilize her hour of the program after it got off to a rocky start this fall.

On Twitter Wednesday, President Donald Trump said "Wow, Matt Lauer was just fired from NBC for 'inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace.' But when will the top executives at NBC & Comcast be fired for putting out so much Fake News."

Posted!

Matt Lauer host of the Today Show speaks with Republican presidential candidate Donald J. Trump during an appearance on a NBC Town Hall during a broadcast of the Today Show in Rockefeller Plaza in New York, New April 21, 2016.
PETER FOLEY, EPA-EFE

Matt Lauer has been fired from NBC for "inappropriate workplace behavior," the network announced on the 'Today' show Wednesday. Take a look back at Lauer's TV career, from the 'Today' show and beyond.
Nathan Congleton, NBC

Lauer got into a heated debate with Tom Cruise, the world's most famous Scientologist, during a June 2005 interview when he broached the topic of the church's stance on psychiatry and antidepressants.
VIRGINIA SHERWOOD, Virginia Sherwood, NBC via AP

Lauer was next to Couric on April 5, 2006, as she announced she would leave 'Today' for 'CBS Evening News,' where she became the first female solo network news anchor in history.
LISA BERG, AFP/Getty Images

Lauer frequently tag-teamed with 'Today' weatherman Al Roker for the show's annual Halloween episode. In 2006, they adopted a 'Pirates of the Caribbean theme,' with Lauer dressed as Capt. Jack Sparrow and Roker as Davy Jones. They're joined her by Ann Curry, Meredith Vieira and Natalie Morales.
RICHARD DREW, AP

In May 2007, Lauer scored an interview with Princes Harry, left, and William. Here, they walk the grounds of Clarence House, where the princes lived with their father Prince Charles in their teens and early 20s.
Jeff Overs, AP

Having interviewed Prince William, Lauer was in a good position to play him during the show's 2011 royal wedding-themed Halloween episode. Ann Curry played Duchess Kate while Al Roker donned a ginger wig to play Prince Harry.
Peter Kramer, AP

Because NBC is the longtime home of the Olympics, Lauer got to participate in the torch relay ahead of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games. Here, he runs with the torch in in Burnaby, British Columbia, in February 2010.
DARRYL DYCK, AP

Lauer talks with Kanye West on the 'Today' show in 2010. The interview came five years after the rapper's infamous "George W. Bush doesn't care about black people" remarks during a telethon to raise money for victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Peter Kramer, NBC Universal, Inc.

The 'Today' crew bade farewell to another host, this time Meredith Vieira, on June 8, 2011. Afterward, Ann Curry finally graduated to the anchor chair, which she held for less than a year.
Richard Drew, AP

Lauer looks on as Ann Curry, who graduated to co-host following Meredith Vieira's departure in 2011, tearfully announces her own exit on June 28, 2012. Curry was largely blamed when 'Today' fell behind ABC's Good Morning America' in the ratings.
NBC

Two weeks before his firing, Lauer interviewed former Vice President Joe Biden, who was promoting his book, 'Promise Me, Dad.' While in office, he was the Obama administration's point person on preventing sexual assault.
NBC, Nathan Congleton/NBC

Lauer spoke often of his alma mater, Ohio University, visiting the campus on-air and delivering the commencement address after he finally finished his undergraduate degree in 1997. Lauer recently welcomed the school band, the Marching 110, to the 'Today' plaza on Nov. 22, the day before the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. "We've been hearing about this all week," co-host Savannah Guthrie told the band.
Nathan Congleton, NBC

Lauer, captured behind the scenes on Nov. 21, 2017, was terminated on a week later after a single, detailed credible report of sexual misconduct, his first in 20 years as host of 'Today.' NBC News chairman Andy Lack said there was reason to believe it was not an isolated incident.
NBC, Nathan Congleton/NBC

Wow, Matt Lauer was just fired from NBC for “inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace.” But when will the top executives at NBC & Comcast be fired for putting out so much Fake News. Check out Andy Lack’s past!